Author: Kanye Cranston

Unit 2 Reflection

In this unit, even though it was short, I learned more about the different uses of rhetoric that can be found in many social movements that are pro or against said movement. Different creators of the images or videos may use ethos differently to either promote a disdain for their side while others may promote an inclusive understanding to get people to agree. 

I already knew that people should look at social movements with an open mind because many of us including myself write off a movement or fully agree without looking at the other side or investigating things yourself. Another thing is the use of certain rhetorical devices and how organizations use fear appeal to scare us to use their product or do what they want. 

I wanted to learn more about the different sides of the movement for representation in city college. For example I would’ve wanted to know what the faculty’s reasons were as to why the students were mainly white.

I think that my main strengths for this unit was understanding the different uses of rhetoric and being able to write more. I am most proud of how long I could write especially since the next paper will be around 7-10 pages. 

I would try to revise my words and be more specific when it comes to analyzing the uses of rhetoric. I noticed that some uses are subtle and hard to pic up if you haven’t really seen it pointed out often or new to it like Hypophora or distincto.

I would rate myself at a 6/10 because I could have participated and been more attentive with the assignments. 

During this unit, I looked for examples of the uses of rhetoric to give me a better understanding of how to use them in the exercises. 

I think this unit was slightly harder because the previous unit was more of a write what you want to talk about and create your story versus write about something from this specific topic. However once I found a topic, I was able to meet the writing target. 

One thing I would do differently would be to read more uses of rhetoric instead of specific and plain examples.

I wish there were essay examples for the rhetorical analysis so that I would have a reference in regards to how to structure my essay.

I wouldn’t recommend anything other than including more examples to give use a better understanding. My favorite activity was analyzing the ok Cupid pictures because I never saw them before (I didn’t take the trains much anymore after the pandemic) and I also saw videos of people complaining about the images being on public transportation where kids can see. There also weren’t any activities that I didn’t like or felt were ineffective. 

Unit 1 Reflection

Before this unit, I was never able to truly write the way I wanted. I always had to stay inline with the rules of writing, but ever since I started this unit I learned that through writing they way I was comfortable with, I could have a lot more to write about. Essays do not have to always be formal, and they could turn out to be the best way to express yourself.

I already knew about the different forms of propaganda in a vague way, but due to the different definitions, I looked more into propaganda in our society. I saw that everything we see/watch and listen to is a form of propaganda.

I would like to learn more about name calling. I observed that in society, one thing may have a positive and negative, so are compliments a form of name calling?

My main strengths were being able to write and expand on my experiences for our main essay. I am also most proud of how much I was able to write. In the past, writing essays would be hard due to a minimum length requirement.

If I were to revise my writing, I would try to include more details and be more descriptive to help the reader understand my story.

I would rate my participation a 9/10 because at first, a few things confused me.

During this unit, I reflected on my past and the information I have taken in over the past 10 years. Reflecting this way helped me with all of my assignments especially the essay.

I would try to work on my assignments earlier so that I know what my objectives are. 

I wish I was able to get evidence for most of my experiences instead of them being from my memory. 

I didn’t really have any issues with how this unit was presented so I don’t really have feedback on that part. My favorite readings were the bandwagon and name calling ones because they are some of the first things I remember from this unit. Based on my learning style, all activities helped me understand the assignments. 

I would probably end up discussing more about the propaganda in our society, including “positive and negative” forms of it.